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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Heathermhill</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10258110"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">So, if I HAVE to have a C/S, what would your tips be to have the best experience.<br>
Thanks in advance <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"></div>
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Firstly, keep your chin up! I found that in my intensive preparation & planning for a VBAC, I healed so much emotionally - that when my VBAC didn't happen, I still felt like I had a successful birth that went as well as could be expected, I felt safe, comfortable, in control, informed, and a full participant in my son's birth.<br><br>
Breifly, my son was born via unplanned, semi-emergent C-section - don't know if that's an "official" classification - but I too had complications at the end of my pregnancy, primarily that my placenta had limited function, and my fluid levels were extremely low. As I croseed into my 36th week, during my routine non-stress test, it was determined that my baby was in non-imminent danger-but-soon-to-be-distress, my fluid levels had dipped below two, and combined with DS still being in a breech presentation (fluid levels disallowing an ECV), my VBAC & breech status conterindicated any kind of induction, so my pregnancy ended in a C-section within hours. Fortunately, I had enough time to call my doula to attend, call my mother to take my daughter, and help me to prepare mentally & physically for what I needed to feel good about this delivery.<br><br><br>
Here are the things that were really important to me (which may or may not be requirements for you - remember, it's YOUR birth, no one else's), to help me feel like I still was able to have the birth I had planned on:<br><br>
1) The decision to proceed to C/S was confirmed by more than one doctor. In my case, it was confirmed by 3 different doctors (my OB, and two perinatologists), and we asked them all about "alternatives", and "what ifs" before consenting to the section.<br><br>
2) I insisted on having my husband present in the OR during anethesia (and throughout the birth, of course!). Having the spinal during my first birth was one of the hardest parts for me - painful & frightening, and I was not about to do it alone, even though it was against hospital policy. I made it clear to my nurses, the anethetist, and pretty much everyone I or my doula could talk to, that my husband WAS NOT GOING TO LEAVE MY SIDE WHEN THEY INSERTED A NEEDLE IN MY SPINE. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br><br>
3) I insisted on my baby being placed on my chest as soon as possible (i.e. not being cleaned, etc.), in the OR, while they sewed me up. This was probably my NUMBER ONE request, er, insistance <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">, and I didn't budge, even though it was against hospital policy. We talked to a lot of people to get this to work - and only had a couple of hours. The HARDEST part of my first birth, the one that caused me the most emotional difficulty to heal from, was the fact that after 31 hours of laboring with my daughter, I was sectioned, and she was taken away for nearly an hour before we were reunited - and she was already washed/scrubbed, goopy-eyed, etc., and I was a wreck, and felt so alone, and out of touch - didn't know who had her, though I knew my husband was with her, didn't know what was going on, when I'd see her, etc. Yuck. This time my baby wasn't going anywhere. And it was WONDERFUL. The most amazing experience, and I'm so forever grateful to myself for insisting, and for the hospital staff for cooperating.<br><br>
4) I requested my husband AND doula to be present in the recovery room. Typically only spouses are allowed, but by that time I think they already knew I was one of those "difficult" patients, and they allowed it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br><br>
Just remember that whatever happens, the preparation you've put into this VBAC is NOT wasted, it's NOT a failure. You have become more illuminated & educated in this process about yourself & birth, and regardless of the outcome, that is worth so much to your piece of mind.<br><br>
Good luck to you mama!!!
